2004

In January 2004, Apple announced the first alternative to the standard iPod, the iPod mini. The new mini, as the name suggested, was much smaller, lighter and thinner than the standard iPod and had a micro drive with a 4 GB capacity. It was finished in anodized aluminium and was available in five colors, giving users a lot more options. The mini was also the first to introduce the 'click wheel'. The wheel on the previous models had the buttons separate but this one had the buttons embedded within the wheel itself.

In July 2004, Apple introduced the fourth generation iPod. The new iPod gained the click wheel from the iPod mini. The iPod was now available in 20 GB and 40 GB models. Three months later, in October, Apple launched the iPod photo, which had a color display and gained the ability to store and display photos in full color. The new iPod photo was available in 40 GB and 60 GB models and came in a new U2 special edition model in a stunning black color with a red click wheel, which stood out from the usual boring white iPods.